Dazee Willow
Christmas 2017
The saying a picture tells a thousand words doesn’t seem to tell the true story about what is going on beyond one captured picture.
It doesn’t convey domestic abuse, self harm or the self harm witnessed, a mother’s mental health on the brink of being sectioned – trying maintain ‘the perfect mother’ image – she has portrayed for 6 years.
FYI there are no perfect mothers.
It doesn’t show a woman doing everytihng in her power to piece together her life, protect her child from harm, it doesn’t show THIS WOMAN asking her own mother to look after her child for 4 weeks, because this mother knew her mental health was declining.
This picture doesn’t show the abuse and social media troll comments she endured trying to fix up her home, trashed by her ex husband.
It doesn’t show a mother trying to finish her final year of her Masters in Creative writing with the Open University.
It doesn’t portray an image of a person trying to prove to her community that she is still in the right frame of mind to volunteer and set up a workshop with a Mental health charity (in her community).
It doesn’t show how she self medicated and thought about disappearing. It doesn’t show how she sought out help and sign posted herself to every place she could find to help her and her child.
It doesn’t show how she looked to a mental health charity she had previously volunteered with to ask about advice regarding the government (with out warning) stopping her child tax credits.
It doesn’t show this woman going to a food bank and having to decline most of the canned goods because her daughter is a fussy eater and this woman has a diagnosed illness of chronic anorexia, and bipolar
It doesn’t show the pain and betrayal this woman felt when her colleague from the mental health charity alerted social services. There was no mention of her concern for this woman’s child in the conversations they had.
This picture doesn’t show the raging, passionate, warrior fight mode of a woman who fought for her rights.
It doesn’t show a person who is resourceful, emphatic, honest, heart broken, human, sensitive, passionate and willful.
It doesn’t show a woman who has a habit of choosing partners who rely on her finances (benefits, tuition loans, credit cards) to keep the family afloat.
It does show a mother who loves her child. It shows a beautiful warm home – it shows a person who has no issues, is well off and looks like either she married a wealthy partner or she is a lady boss.
It doesn’t hint at poverty.
It doesn’t show her state of mind.
It doesn’t show her anxieties.
It doesn’t show how deep she has had to “dig” to make sure her daughter has a Christmas that our society brain washes us into getting into debt for.
It doesn’t show a mother and person who will fight for injustice, exploitation and for the rights of all human beings being treated without discrimination. It doesn’t show a woman who has travelled the world and who lives in a small village/town in West Yorkshire ready to take on anybody/any organisation that ignites her passion for all issues related to humanity.
You have rightly said it. Even though a picture speaks a thousand words, it’s not always the case. Behind the smile, she is doing all she can to raise her child on her own. Behind the smile, she is fighting against her boss who wants to have a piece of her. Behind the smile are tears. Tears of pain. Tears of humiliation.
I’ve often thought about how important it is to realize that though a picture may say a thousand words we need to find out whether those words are true. The picture may be a painting, photograph, or created with written words, but we need to be careful not to make assumptions about the message.
It sounds like you are a deep thinker -In my humble opinion that is a good thing. It’s fulfilling to see meaning in in all parts of our life.. I feel what you are saying.
Thank you for visiting .
You never know what lies beneath a smile. Everyone’s story is different. Most of us have scars. This story reminds us that some have more scars than others.
Thanks for that comment Blue Sailor. :D. I don’t think I’ve had it any harder than the next person. We all have moments in life when things are tough. I guess it pours down with me. I do look for the silver lining.
Nice pictures! Nice post!
Nobody knows what the next person may be going through. We should be kind to others, always.
I agree. I always try to see the good in people and I wish people could see that we can all be our own worst enemies or toxic to others.
We need more people like you in the world. Happy New Year!
Good points. So very true, good job!
Thank you ,so much for taking the time to read my post. I know everyone has their struggles. I’m one of those people who will leave no stone un turned. Happy New year
Great way to be! Happy New Year to you as well!
I never know how much love can gather my heart. Until someone told me Mama.
It’s so easy to blame our parents. I’ve done my fair share. Some parents never make an effort and shame to them ( their los) .My mama is not perfect and she made lots of good and bad choices as I have. lach59 atleast she makes the effort. Sometimes the signs that someone is making an effort can be so small – we can miss it . Thank you for your comment. It’s a beautiful, quote. Is it yours?